FILM 236 Lives of the Composers Through Film

This course is a study of the lives of famous musical composers through the medium of film. The course is an introduction into the historic and cinematic world of several composers from the Middle Ages to Twentieth Century, and will consist of lectures, viewing of films, discussion, and journaling.

Credits

3

Hours Weekly

3 hours weekly

Course Objectives

1. 1. Develop tools for analysis that will help him/her appreciate works of music composed in
   Europe from the Middle Ages through the early Twentieth Century. This will include, but is not
   limited to, recognizing and explaining techniques, features of music, and period styles.
2. 2. Interpret famous works of music and discuss their significance to the musicians who produced
   them, both within their historical context and how they are regarded today.
3. 3. Discuss musical works in their political, social, and cultural contexts.
4. 4. Hone skills in critical writing, which will involve discussions, viewing of selected films, and
   journaling.
5. 5. Identify running themes in movies about the way the lives of musicians are presented in
   documentary style.
6. 6. Analyze the close connection between history, culture, and cinema in movies about music and
   the lives of those in the musical arts.
7. 7. Distinguish different cinematic styles and genres based on the cultural models created
   throughout music history.
8. 8. Compare and contrast films and actual musical works featured in this course and place them in
   their cultural setting.
9. 9. Discuss cultural mores, family life, religion, art, and literature as depicted in the films and
   music featured in class.

Course Objectives

1. 1. Develop tools for analysis that will help him/her appreciate works of music composed in
   Europe from the Middle Ages through the early Twentieth Century. This will include, but is not
   limited to, recognizing and explaining techniques, features of music, and period styles.
2. 2. Interpret famous works of music and discuss their significance to the musicians who produced
   them, both within their historical context and how they are regarded today.
3. 3. Discuss musical works in their political, social, and cultural contexts.
4. 4. Hone skills in critical writing, which will involve discussions, viewing of selected films, and
   journaling.
5. 5. Identify running themes in movies about the way the lives of musicians are presented in
   documentary style.
6. 6. Analyze the close connection between history, culture, and cinema in movies about music and
   the lives of those in the musical arts.
7. 7. Distinguish different cinematic styles and genres based on the cultural models created
   throughout music history.
8. 8. Compare and contrast films and actual musical works featured in this course and place them in
   their cultural setting.
9. 9. Discuss cultural mores, family life, religion, art, and literature as depicted in the films and
   music featured in class.